Rulings Stand Despite Incomplete Transcripts

A judge has ruled that the convictions of 10 people will stand even though transcripts from each case have not been completed by Valerie Barnes, a court reporter who said breast cancer interfered with her work.

All the defendants were convicted between 1999 and 2002 and their lawyers appealed over various issues. But the state Court of Appeals sent the cases back to a lower court because trial or hearing transcripts were missing or incomplete.

Judge Anthony Vollack ruled that defendants have a right to a speedy trial -- but are not guaranteed a speedy appeal. Vollack found Barnes, now a clerk in federal court in Denver, in contempt for refusing to help finish the transcripts.